Year 9 pupils at John Spence Community High School in North Shields are rising to the challenge of walking for at least ten minutes to and from school every day for a week.

The Living Streets’ Free Your Feet challenge promotes the benefits of walking with the youngsters encouraged to use the time in the fresh air to catch up with friends, listen to music and look for alternative walking routes to the school.

Pupils who normally travel by car or public transport are challenged to stop at least ten minutes away from school and walk the rest of the way.

Simon Crowe, head of Year 9, said: “This is such an easy way to do something healthy and it’s the second year that this year group has been involved.

“As a sports-orientated school, this challenge fits perfectly with our ‘fit for life’ ethos and the added incentive of winning £50 in shopping vouchers is a great boost during this spell of poor weather.”

Ed Laschet, Living Streets project co-ordinator, added: “By taking up the challenge to walk to school every day these young people are setting healthy habits for their future lives.”